Significant progress has been made in relation to the death of Tui Rosemary TAIT through the course of today.
Work over night in the scene indicated that the deceased appeared to have been walking down the hill prior to her ending up lying on the roadway. As a result of this a search took place along the road towards the summit for her vehicle.
At about 1 p.m. today the deceased's vehicle was located about 10 to 15 metres down a bank 1.6 kilometres from where her body was found. The Serious Crash Unit has been called in and along with Detectives and ESR is currently examining this site. The vehicle will be recovered today and moved to Christchurch Central for further forensic examination.
A post mortem examination was conducted this morning. There was no evidence that the deceased had been physically assaulted or that she had been struck by any vehicle while walking down the road. The pathologist has ordered a number of further tests that will aid in identify how she died.
There has also been two a sightings of the deceased on last Thursday afternoon. She was at the Little River Café at 1.25 p.m. and was seen driving erratically up Western Valley Road from Little River to the summit at around 3 p.m.
All of her clothing has now been accounted for.
At this stage nothing was located at her family home that was connected with her death.
Dependant on the result of further work over the next week or so it is likely that this matter will be referred through to the Coroner.
It is expected that the cordons will be lifted later tonight when work has been completed.
The police are not seeking any other person in connection with her death.
The Canterbury Police would like to thank the public for their assistance in helping us solve this matter.